Fire extinguisher



ec. 18, 1951 l L, H, SMITH 2,579,100

FIRE EXTINGUI'SHER Filed Jan. 23, 1946 Patented Dec. 18, 1951 FIRE ,EXTINGUISHER Lawrence H. S'mithQChicago, Ill., assigner to Vic- *Y tor M. Langsett, Chicago, Ill., as trustee VApplication January' 23, 1946, serial No. 642,843

This invention relates to i'lre extinguishers in general and in particular to portable lre ex tinguishers of theso-called fog type.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved re extinguisher having arranged therein a diaphragm, or other like structure, adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of pressure forming material, such as carbon dioxide; the body of`th`e extinguisher being adapted to be filled with liquid, such as water, against which a pressure created by the expansible diaphragm is adapted to be exerted.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for filling a re extinguisher casing with fluid, such as water, Prestone or the like, to be discharged from the extinguisher in a spray-like or fog-like fashion, there being an improved pumping means for pumping fluid into the container against the action of the pressure therein.

Another object of the invention resides in the construction and arrangement of the parts located in particular positions whereby the diaphragm structure of the device may be filled readily with suitable material, such as carbon dioxide, the arrangement and construction of means for injecting fluid within the extinguisher casing and against the pressure therein,`and the construction and arrangement of the various parts constituting the pumping means per se, as well as the inlets, outlets, valves, etc..

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

Theaccompanying drawing illustrates a `se lected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail sectional view taken longitudinally through the improved extinguisher;

Fig. 2 is a detail end elevational view of the right hand end of the extinguisher shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail Vertical section of the lower end of the piston which is arranged in its cooperating cylinder; and

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse sectional. view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 and showing the valve arrangement at the lower end of the piston.

'Ihe particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention com.

prises a body I which is preferably circular in cross4 section, although itrmay be vmadein any Shapesiesircd.. n

2.Claims. (Cl. 169-31) The body I preferably consists of an elongated hollow tube preferably of metal, one end of which is closed by an end closure cap 2. The cap 2 is secured in place by fastening means 3, such as bolts and nuts, to an annular ilange 4 which is formed on an end of the body I. The end cap 2 is preferably provided with an annular recess or groove 5 which cooperates with a similar annular recess or groove 6 in the annular flange 4, whereby there is formed a seat to receive that part of the reinforced end of a diaphragm 'i which terminates in an annular bead 8. The end cap 2 has an opening 9 provided therein, which opening is preferably concentric with the tubular body I, the opening 9 being adapted to be closed-by a closure I0.

The closure I0 is so constructed as to have gas-tight engagement with the material of the end cap surrounding the opening 9. The closure ID may be maintained in position by the pressure within the diaphragm 1. The diaphragm 'l is adapted to receive expansible material, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), such as through the opening 9, the closure I0 being unseated for that purpose and so as to create a pressure within the diaphragm and to expand the diaphragm. The diaphragm 1 is made of any suitable expansible rubber or rubber-like material. The end of the diaphragm may have a protecting end cap I I for engagement with the inside of an opposed end cap I2 when the diaphragm isfully expanded so as to prevent damage to the diaphragm.

The end cap I2` is provided with a peripheral flange I3 which receives the end of the tubular body I and may be secured thereto in any convenient manner, such as by welding.

The end cap I2 has preferably formed exteriorly thereof a boss or boss-like structure I4 which forms a housing for a chamber I5. A piston I6 is arranged in the chamber I5 and has the same cross-sectional configuration as the chamber I5 so thatl the walls of the piston are in piston-cylinder contact. The chamber I5, which is preferably circular, provides a cylinder for the piston I6 which is adapted to be reciprocated in the chamber or cylinder I5.

The space I1 below the bottom of the piston I6 has communication with a passage I8 which leads into` a passage I9 of larger diameter, the passage I9Y having communication Ywith the in terior of the Ybody I. r 1 Y A valve 20 is arranged inthe passage or bore I9 whereby uid-enteringthepassage I8 from the space I'I, is free to enter the casing chamber 2| within the body I but is prevented from back# 3 ing out of the chamber 2l through the passages I8 and I9.

The piston I6 is provided with a valve receiving chamber 22 in which there is mounted a loosely provided valve plate 23. Holes 24 extend through the base of the piston and are adapted to be closed operably by means of the Valve plate 23... |Ihe bottom closure member 2.50am. the chamber- 22 is also provided with a plurality of. holes or elongated passages 25 which permit fluid to pass into the cylinder chamber I5.

A plurality o'f scalloped holes or openings 24a are formed in the periphery of the valve plate and are positioned in alignment. withV the holes. 25. The valve receiving chamber 21, toreceive the valve plate 23, may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by means of a member 25a, screwed upon the lower end of the piston t6.

An arm 26 is pivotallylconnected at 21 to the piston and extends upwardly through an opening 2B- inthe top of the boss I4. The upper end. of theA arm 2liY is pivotally connected at 29' to a lever 30. The lever 33 is pivotal-ly mounted as at 3I' to projecting ears 32 formedirigidly on the flange I3 of theenclosure, cap I2. The lever 36 extends forwardlyv into. a. handleV portion 33 which terminates into a ball operating knob 34.

Another iuidkv inlet for the device comprises a plurality of spaced holes 35 Figs. l' and 2', whereby fluid is adapted to be drawn into the chamber or cylinder I'. An outlet consisting of' a threaded opening 316 in a boss-like projection 3.1', Fig. 3, is adapted to have a suitable discharge valye attached thereto. or, if desired, a hose connectionto which the nozzle (not shown) may be attached.V Several openings 36a through the. wall ofi the end plate may comprise the discharge outlet as. shown The end of the device is adapted to. be inserted in a container having water, Prestonej or other like material, whereby the inlet openings. 35,will be. covered', by the liquid'. The handle 3 3' when moved'. upwardly will' cause the, pistonv I'ita be forced downwardly, whereupon. the. valven 213', will' seal` the openingsA 24.an,dl cause the liquid in. the. chamber I5lto be. forced through the passage I8, the, passage L9., and into the.. container or chamber part oi the housing I..`

Whenfthe handle .33. is moved4 from raised to lowered position,` there will be a. suction createdin` the cylinder Iii4 whereby liquid will. be, sucked into the openings 35, when the handle is in. lowered position, to. ll. the. chamber I5 belowthe piston. When the handle. 33-isE again raised,y the. liquid, which is. sucked. in through. the openings..

35, and that which also`Y passes. through the; openfings 24, about thescalloped openings 2da. at the periphery of the valverplate- 23, and througlrrthe passages 25., will again be' forced throughy the.V passages I8 and I9.

The valve discY 2.3,.A permits the piston. to bex easilyv reciprocated. without, any undue pressure and at thel same,- timeprevents. any. fluid in they' cylinder l;-5f fromI passing out. through: the open ings. 24. andr25- duringthe pressure stroke. When; the handle 33 is raised', the, pistonmovesfdown wardly whereupon the.-v valvedisc 23; will cover the: openings. 24..Y and` prevent. anyv fluid: from pass'.- ing outthroughtheopeningsm; When-.the handle 3351s, loweredand the'pistonf is drawrr up.- wardly, the valve disc 23 still permits easy op'- erationI of the piston. V

The disc 2.3-, therefore, prevents; thediuidfrom passing out throughthe; holes 2.4 during thepreszsureY strokel and, .du-ring the suction strokes neremits fluid to pass through the openings 24, recess 22, around the disc 23 and through the holes 25 into the chamber I5. The piston on its downward stroke, when the handle 33 is raised, will cause the inlet openings 24 to be closed, whereupon the trapped fluid in the chamber I 'I will be forced through the passages I8 and I9 into the interior of the tubular body I.

The raising of the piston permits fluid' to pass into the chamber I5. The piston is adapted to be raised easily because of the looseness of the plate or disc 23 in the chamber 22. The scalloped openings 24a in the valve disc 23 coincide with the openings 25,. thereby leaving a free flow duringV the. raising of the piston. The center part of the valve disc, however, is solid and covers the openings 24` during the downward or pressure stroke of the piston to prevent fluid in the chamber I5 from passing out through the holes 24 (Figs. 4 and 5).

The plate I'Il in the end closure cap 2 is adapted tov have a pressure relief' valve 33 mountedV therein, as clearly shown in Fig.. 1, whereupon any excess pressure in the diaphragm l will be relievedbecause of the relief valve 38.

An end handle 35 may be secured toA the closing plate I0; as clearly shown in Fig. l, whereby the` device may be easily carried. Also a locking latch structure 43. secured to the top of. the cas.- ing may be used' for locking the handle 33 in its lowermost position so that a part of the handle 33 may be used for transporting the. device from one locationto another.

The invention provides a re extinguisher which is preferably of the portable type and adapted to be` moved easily from oneI positionv toanother. The device is strong. and durable. in construction so. that it may contain relatively high pressures. for spraying. liquid in fog-like fashion through the outlet nozzle mounted in. the. outlet opening 3.6. in the. boss 31.

A rlhe pressure created inthe chamber 2|. bythe. compressed carbon dioxide in the diaphragm. createsa pressurel withinv the container I so that When a nozzle, (not shown)- that is attached to. the opening 3,6, and which nozzle is of any suitable construction is opened, a fog-like spray will be ejected therethrough under considerable-pressure; Refilling of the. chamber 2I- caused. by immersing the endof the extinguisherinthe-liq.- uid and then: reciprocating the piston` IS by a. pumping action on the; handle 33. The: device is adapted'. tosbe. moved about from one position; to another as it is relatively light inweight.

The, pressure crea-ted in the diaphragm Ii by the. compressed; carbon.` dioxide, will. be relieved should the pressure become excessive; there being.

asafety pressure valver for this purpose; Also,

a pressure: gauge 4LI=` may be;` providedto indicate;l

the? pressure in the diaphragm` 1'.. The gauge 4I mayfhave threaded: engagement with alrapeni'ng 42 formed in the end plate or cap 2.

Ghangesf may be madein the; form. construction and arrangement of the parts Without departing from spirit. of' the.-` invention or sfacrii'lciingv any off the advantages thereof, andi the, right is hereby reserved to make all suclr changes:

ofz'a.secondffluidlforced intoz-theca-sing inout-of@ commingling relation with the iirst iiud-thereim the combination comprising means carried by the casing and forming a cylinder having communication with the fluid containing chamber, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, means to reciprocate thel pistomuid inlet means leading to the cylinder, said piston having a valve receiving chamber therein provided with openings in opposite walls thereof to permit fluid to pass through the piston, one of the walls of the last said chamber being removable, and a floating disc valve in the valve receiving chamber closing those of said openings in the other wall of the last said chamber which when the piston moves in a predetermined direction forces said first uid from the cylinder into the fluid containing chanber.

2. In a re extinguisher embodying a casin forming afluid containing chamber from which a first fluid is discharged under pressure by means of another fluid forced into the casing-in out-of-commingling relation with the rst said fluid therein, the combination comprising means carried by the casing and forming a cylinderj a. piston reciprocable in said cylinder, means toreciprocate the piston, a passage leading from the cylinder to the interior of the casing, fluid inlet means leading to the cylinder, said piston having openings therethrough to permit the first said uid to pass through the piston, and a valve member adapted to close said openings when said piston moves in one direction to force the first said fluid from the cylinder into the chamber, said valve member comprising a disc having an imperforate center and notches in its periphery, the notches communicating with the openings in the piston during movement of the piston in the other direction, the imperforate part of the disc closing the openings in the piston upon reciprocation of the piston in the first mentioned direction and blocking communication between said notches and the openings in the piston.

LAWRENCE H. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 225,293 Martin l Mar. 9, 1880 233,570 Stafford Oct. 19, 1880 663,732 Coughlin Dec. 11, 1900 669,819 Brooks Mar. 12, 1901 704,686 Kearns et a1. July 15, 1902 1,067,811 Harrison July 22, 1913 1,110,682 Gooch Sept. 15, 1914 1,175,267 Jacobs Mar. 14, 1916 1,300,170 Jefferson Apr. 8, 1919 1,384,296 Baumgardner July 12, 1921 1,409,725 Johnson Mar. 14, 1922 1,865,460 Elsey July 5, 1932 1,990,516 Beckel Feb. 12, 1935 

